Joy is coming

“Most of us have known some degree of real suffering or sorrow. Even those of us who have led a seemingly charmed life have seen the suffering of others or known the very real sorrow of a dear loved one who has lost all or nearly all, or some who live in a near constant fear of death, physical, spiritual or emotional. It is not pretty. How then is it that we could, or should be expected to be thankful?

Why, then, does the scripture urge me to be thankful in all things? Is this some cruel invitation to a masochistic existence? What does any of that have to do with a loving God? These are questions that I ask myself, and that I cannot answer for you. It is no wonder to me when folks reject the Bible, or the church, or Christ, as I have done many times, or find my joy hypocritical in this world of so much suffering. What I do know is that I always have a choice, no matter what this life presents me, no matter what pain I see or feel, to be thankful that joy is coming, no matter what.“